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Global Visa Photo Requirements

Every embassy has different rules. Explore 68 destination guides covering exact eVisa specifications, digital sizing, background colours and upload file size limits.

By ClonyPDF Editorial Team Compiled from consular and ICAO sources Last reviewed Sources

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Visa Photo Requirements at a Glance

There is no single global visa photo standard. The most common format is 35 × 45 mm on a plain light background with the head filling 70–80% of the frame, taken within the last 6 months. What changes by destination is the exact size, the background colour and the upload file size limit — and the file size limit is what rejects most online applications.

Destination Photo size Background Upload limit
Schengen (26 states)35 × 45 mmLight grey≤ 240 KB
China33 × 48 mmPure white354×472 – 420×560 px
United Kingdom35 × 45 mmLight grey / cream50 KB – 10 MB
United States (DS-160)2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm)Plain white≤ 240 KB, 600×600 px min
Australia35 × 45 mmPlain white≤ 500 KB
Canada35 × 45 mmPlain white≤ 240 KB
New Zealand35 × 45 mmLight grey≤ 250 KB
Singapore35 × 45 mmPlain white≤ 60 KB
South Korea (K-ETA)35 × 45 mmPlain white≤ 100 KB
Turkey (eVisa)50 × 50 mmPlain whiteCheck portal

Figures are the values published for the most common visa category in each destination. Categories differ — a long-stay or work visa may use a different limit from a tourist visa. Open the destination guide for the authoritative specification and its official source.

Popular Visa Destinations

Japan China UAE Saudi Arabia Schengen Singapore Thailand Germany France Search All

How Visa Photos Differ From Passport Photos

While applying for a domestic travel document relies on a single national standard, navigating entry permits for foreign nations requires adapting to varying embassy preferences. An accepted passport picture does not guarantee a successful visa application. Compare against the national standards in our passport photo requirements by country hub.

  • Strict Digital Upload Rules Modern eVisas require digital files formatted to exact pixel dimensions and strict file size limits, from 60 KB for Singapore up to 10 MB for the UK.
  • Varying Photo Dimensions Your home country might use 2 × 2 inches, while an embassy demands 35 × 45 mm or 33 × 48 mm for consular processing.
  • Unique Background Colors Not all consulates accept white. Certain nations mandate light grey, blue, or red backgrounds. See the background colour rules.

Common Visa Photo Requirements

Most common size 35 × 45 mm
Background Plain white or light grey
Head height 70–80% of frame
Expression Neutral, mouth closed
Lighting Even, no harsh shadows
Digital format JPEG, 24-bit sRGB
File size 60 KB – 10 MB by portal
Recency Taken within 6 months

Visa Photo Background Colour by Destination

Background is the single most common cause of visa photo rejection, because applicants assume white is universal. It is not.

Background Destinations Note
Plain white Most destinations, including China, Singapore, Japan, UAE, Philippines Must be uniform with no gradient or shadow
Light grey Schengen states, United Kingdom, New Zealand White is commonly refused for these destinations
Blue Malaysia Required for certain visa categories
Red Indonesia Applies to several tourist and business categories
Schengen visa photo requirements diagram showing the 35 by 45 mm size, light grey background and 32 to 36 mm head height
Schengen visa photo requirements diagram
The 35 × 45 mm Schengen standard on a light grey background. Full detail in the Schengen visa photo guide.
China visa photo requirements diagram showing the 33 by 48 mm size and pure white background for COVA and CVASC applications
China visa photo requirements diagram
China uses 33 × 48 mm on pure white — a size no other major destination uses. See the China visa photo guide.

Visa Photo Directory

Find the precise embassy and eVisa regulations for your destination. 68 guides, listed alphabetically.

Looking for a national passport standard instead of a visa? Browse the passport photo requirements by country hub, or read the underlying standards in the passport photo rules library.

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Why Use ClonyPDF for Visa Applications?

Automatic Sizing
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Visa Photos for Babies, Infants and Children

The destination's size, background colour and head-height band apply to children exactly as they do to adults. There is no smaller format for infants. What sometimes relaxes is the eye and expression rule.

Same size, same background

A child applying for a Schengen visa still needs 35 × 45 mm on light grey. A child applying for a Chinese visa still needs 33 × 48 mm on pure white.

Child alone in the frame

No supporting hands, arms, car seat, toy or dummy may be visible, and no other person may appear. Support the child from behind a plain sheet.

Eyes open where possible

Most consulates relax the open-eyes rule for newborns but enforce it for older children. See the eyes requirements.

No shadow behind the head

Lay the child on a plain sheet in soft indirect daylight and shoot from directly above. See the shadow rules.

Hair off the face

Hair must not fall across the eyes or obscure the face outline, and ears should be visible where the destination requires it. See hair rules and ears visibility.

Crop from a wide source

Shoot wide and crop down. Cropping tightly in-camera on a small face leaves too few pixels once the destination's frame is applied.

Full positioning and lighting technique for infants is in our baby passport photo at home guide.

Printing a Visa Photo for an Embassy Appointment

Sticker visas issued at a consulate still need physical prints. Print settings matter as much as the crop, and plain paper is refused everywhere.

Print resolution300 DPI minimum. Disable fit-to-page and auto-scaling, which change the physical size
PaperGlossy or matte photo paper, 200–250 gsm. Plain copier paper is refused
Copies per 4 × 6 in sheetSix 35 × 45 mm photos, or eight 33 × 48 mm photos, with cutting margins
Copies requiredMost consulates ask for one or two identical prints. Confirm before your appointment
Colour managementsRGB. Turn off printer auto-enhance, skin smoothing and colour correction
CuttingGuillotine or steel rule for square edges. Do not cut inside the printed border
HandlingLet ink dry fully. Do not staple, fold or glue the photo face

Printer settings and cutting technique are covered in the print at home guide, and multi-copy sheet layout in the 4 × 6 print sheet guide.

Common Visa Photo Mistakes to Avoid

Don't let a poorly formatted picture delay your travel plans. Consulates strictly enforce these rules. The full breakdown is in passport photo rejection reasons.

Wrong Size

Submitting a 2x2 inch photo when 35x45mm is required.

Wrong Background

Using white where light grey is required, or the wrong colour entirely.

File Size Out of Range

Above the portal cap, or so compressed it fails the quality check.

Improper Expression

Smiling, frowning, or having your mouth open.

Incorrect Head Size

Face taking up too much or too little of the frame.

Shadows

Harsh lighting creating shadows on the face or background.

Wearing Glasses

Most consulates explicitly ban glasses due to glare.

Wrong Crop

Cutting off the top of the hair or the shoulders incorrectly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Visa vs Passport Photos

How do visa photo requirements differ from passport photos?
Visa photo requirements vary by the destination country's embassy or eVisa portal, whereas a passport photo follows a single national standard. A visa application photo may require a specific background colour, unique dimensions such as 33x48 mm for China or 50x50 mm for Turkey, or a stricter digital file size cap for online submission.
Can I use the same photo for my passport and my visa?
Only when the two specifications match. A UK passport photo at 35x45 mm on a light grey background is accepted for most Schengen visa applications, but the same photo is refused for a Chinese visa, which needs 33x48 mm on pure white. Always check the destination specification before reusing a photo.
Do eVisas require different photo sizes than embassy visas?
Yes. A physical sticker visa issued at an embassy usually requires a printed photo with exact millimeter dimensions such as 35x45 mm. An eVisa typically requires a digital upload measured in pixels, for example 600x600 px, with strict limitations on file size and format.

Specification Detail

What is the standard background color for visa photos?
Plain white is the most common requirement globally, but major exceptions exist. Schengen states, the UK and New Zealand require light grey. Malaysia requires blue for some visa categories and Indonesia requires red. Always refer to the country-specific guide before finalizing your image, and read the background colour rules.
What is the correct digital file size for online visa applications?
Limits vary widely by portal. India Passport Seva accepts only 10 to 20 KB, Singapore caps at 60 KB, South Korea at 100 KB, Schengen and most EU states at 240 KB, New Zealand at 250 KB, Australia at 500 KB, and the UK accepts 50 KB up to 10 MB. Check the limit shown by the form you are completing. Our compress to 240 KB and reduce file size guides cover the mechanics.
Are glasses allowed in visa photos?
Many countries now strictly prohibit glasses in visa application photos to prevent glare and ensure full visibility of biometric facial features. We recommend removing your glasses for all visa pictures to ensure automatic acceptance by immigration algorithms. See the glasses rules.
Can I wear religious headwear in a visa photo?
Yes, head coverings worn daily for religious or medical purposes are generally allowed by most consulates. However, the headwear must not cast shadows on the face, and facial features from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead must be clearly visible. See the head covering rules.
How recent does a visa photograph need to be?
Most international consulates and immigration authorities mandate that your visa photo must have been taken within the last 6 months. It must reflect your current appearance accurately.

Taking, Printing & Children

Can I use a selfie for my visa application?
No, traditional selfies are almost universally rejected by consulates and eVisa systems due to distortion and poor angles. However, you can use a smartphone to have someone else take your photo from a distance of about 1.5 meters, and then process it through our online visa photo maker to meet official standards.
What are the rules for infant and baby visa photos?
Infant visa photos use the same size, background and head-height band as an adult photo. The child must be alone in the frame with no parents' hands, pacifiers or toys visible. The child can be laid on a plain sheet matching the destination's background colour. Consulates are sometimes more lenient on eye position and expression for newborns. See the child and infant section above.
How do I print a visa photo at home?
Print at 300 DPI on glossy or matte photo paper, never on plain copier paper. A 4 x 6 inch sheet holds six 35x45 mm photos or eight 33x48 mm photos with cutting margins. Cut with a guillotine for square edges and do not trim inside the printed border. Full detail is in the print at home guide.
How does ClonyPDF ensure my visa photo will be accepted?
Our system applies the size, background colour, head-height band and file-size limit published for your selected destination, then verifies the crop before download. Because consular rules change, we also link the official government source on every country page so you can confirm the current specification.

Official Sources & References

Specifications in this directory are compiled from published consular and immigration guidance and the international biometric travel document standard ICAO Doc 9303. Where a national requirement differs from ICAO, the national requirement applies.

Last reviewed:
Visa photo rules are set by each destination and can change without notice. Individual consular posts and visa categories may publish additional local requirements. Always confirm the current specification with the authority handling your application before you submit.

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